The Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases headed by Law Minister Zahid Hamid has urged Ministry of Industries and Production (MoI&P) to impress upon local car assemblers to introduce airbags to small cars.

The committee gave these directions to the ministry while according approval, in principle, to Pakistan Assaying and Hallmarking Council Act. In Pakistan airbags are not introduced in small cars, which is one of the key demands made from time to time at different forums but the issue still exists.

According to the summary of the Industries Ministry, Pakistan Gems and Jewelry Development Company (PGJDC) is a company established under section 42 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984 and is under administrative control of MoI&P. PGJDC maintains that the establishment of assaying and hallmark regime in Pakistan is one of the core initiatives identified in the strategy developed by the private sector (SWOG) and MoI&P and approved by the Government of Pakistan (GoP) for the development of gems and jewellery sector. The establishment of Assaying and Hallmarking Centres and promulgation of Assaying and Hallmarking Act are two main components of the strategy. PGJDC has established two Assaying and Hallmarking Centres - one each at Karachi and Lahore. Pakistan assaying and Hallmarking Council Act (PAHCA) has been drafted after concerted efforts of PGJDC and relevant stakeholders.

The purpose of the Act is to establish a Council to be known as the Pakistan Assaying and Hallmarking Council (PAHC). The PAHC shall be a corporate body with perpetual succession and a common seal with powers subject to the provisions of the Act. PAHC will carry out various functions and powers given by the Board of Governors on the recommendations of the Executive Committee. The head office of PAHC shall be at Karachi and it may, with prior approval of Board of Governors, set up regional offices at such places as when and where required. It will be accountable to the Board for its operation, functions and actions.

The general direction of PAHC and its affairs shall vest in the Board which may exercise all powers or delegate or will be delegated to Managing Director and do all acts on behalf of the Board. Federal Board will constitute the Board of Governors for PAHC for a term of 3 years. Managing Director of the Council will be appointed by the Board and will act as Chief Executive of PAHC for discharging day to day affairs of PAHC.

Quality control and quality assurance system for precious metals and articles backed by regulatory framework will be established. International standards or precious metals alloys will be adopted and ensured. General public will be safeguarded against fraud and traders will be guarded against unfair competition.

This Act will facilitate the country to become a member of the Vienna Convention which is one of the elite clubs of precious metal trading group of countries. Membership of the Vienna Convention will be highly beneficial to enhance exports because it (the Convention) facilitates free trade among its member countries and no more inspection is required for trade among the member nations. Acceptability of Pakistani jewelry products in international market will lead towards maximizing exports of jewelry.

Hallmarking will ensure that mixing of other metals in gold will be within the permitted limits. Consumer confidence in local jewelry industry will significantly improve. The Act will now be introduced in National Assembly or Senate.